First Portrait Shoot : Behind The Scenes

It all started when i feel decided that i have enough of taking landscape, that's when i approach my friends for a collaboration of portrait shoot. Choosing a location has always been selective for me, same for my friends, so on a fine morning we headed to a quiet place in Seletar area where we can shoot with ease without disturbance.

Carrying my tripod, barang barang containing my props.

Claudia doing some final touch up

Make up checked

Lawrence joining in the fun too

Doing a portrait shoot is an entirely different game from landscape, it requires good communication and teamwork to produce results. A constant challenge in portaiture is determing whether the pose connotes masculinity or feminity and adjusting accordingly. As a photographer i need to observe the details and guide my subjects to portrait correctly. At first it might be awkward working with them, after awhile once rapport has been built we started to have fun and experimenting.

Random shot

Without any experience in portraiture, it took quite a while before getting into the mood for creativity. Fortunately my friends have been very patient in helping me to build confidence in getting the right shots.

Exhibiting some shots from my Panasonic LX3 camera, yup it's a non dslr that's im using.







More pictures uploaded facebook.

Although i couldn't produce master piece like those pro photographer, but certainly it was the experience and accompany that counts : ) I'm glad to have friends like them who have the sporting spirit ! To appreciate their hardwork and time devoted for the photoshoot, I specially treated them to an exquisite cafe in thomson serving excellent food, you guys deserved that !

Mission accomplished, moving onto the next challenge.

Mystery of OCH

No one could not have ever heard of the haunted Old Changi Hospital, there are so many astonishing incredible tales about the place that could prove too hard to believe. As for the random stories floating in the urban legend, hearsay without evidence support is just as good as coffeeshop talk. At many times facts are distorted from the truth, only seeing is believing. Believe it or not here are some stories we came across, the source always from my friend's friends.

- heard a little girl crying in the infamous ward
- Stuck at the highest floor for several hours as they could not find the stairs down
- felt a push while taking the stairs
- came out of the building with unknown burises, always associated with claws or bites of ghostly spirits.

- And lastly the most famous urban legend which we are going to debunk, exploring the creepiest missing basement of OCH; the mortuary. In the cyberspace, some people claimed that they have been to the basement and seen things that aint supposed to appear; the ice cold fridge, chemicals to preserve bodies, blood stain etc. However pictures of the basement never surface, thus till today the existence of the basement still remains very doubtful.


Going back to OCH is like homecoming. For every ghost hunter it surely begins somewhere here, or ends here. Over the years nothing have changed in OCH, except that the walls are getting colorful.

Anybody staring ?

We received a tip off on the location of basement stairway from one of our member cousin, it's somewhere around the back alley corner...

Lots of shattered glasses everywhere, was it deliberate act of human or the act of god ? We navigate extremely cautions in our slippers to escape unharmed in this highly "dangerous" mission.

Rumbles, my camera doing a great job here

The setting makes an interesting shot.

OCH consist of 2 blocks if im not wrong, the main block and the A&E. They are connected by a corridor at the highest level, the tight width of staircase can only accommodate 2 person side by side at most.

If unlucky you might hear the infamous cry of a little girl in the abandoned ward

To reach to the other block, first must walk through this long series of corridor. Did you notice the objects hanging at the window ? It's some kind of amulet with monk imprint, we are clueless on why or who set them up.

I just love taking shots of corridoor, you never know what's waiting for
you at the other end

Here we are at the A&E block, where many patients might have lost their life here. Right at the middle of the carpark, there were many offerings and amulets hanging around and they resemble a ritual formation. No pictures taken as i didn't to offend them and invite troubles.

Still looking for the stairway to hell in the A&E block. Could it be our sources fail us again ? When we spoke to 2 different group of ghost hunters, they gave us the most bewildered expression upon hearing the search for the basement. Obviously they haven't been doing homework on the hunting ground.

This path lead us to the biggest beehive we have ever seen !


One of the member was getting uncomfortable,
soon the operation was ceased.

After action review at the dam.

According a popular ghost hunting website, the route to the basement had been demolished and there's no way to get down there. What about the tip off that we received on the basement stairs ? Did it magically appear for the chosen one's ? Certainly we did not possess that kind of luck or else the mystery of OCH would be solved, hence taking away the ghostly charm it had all this years.

The next time we might just be bringing the person who have been to the basement, to lead and show us the exact location. It will be a myth for now, unless proven by strictlyeuro...

Night at the Old Birdcage Walk

Alrighty here we go again, we are back to ghostly business again. We are not going to be contented with wasting the night idling around, hence we found ourselves in a very unfamilar road name, Old Birdcage Walk. Even the most seasonal driver in Singapore would not have a single clue on this location unless with an updated Street Directory.

Before the exploration begin, the road name could probably send a cold chill down your spine, dare to take a walk at the old and spooky road ? When life just get bored over routine stuff, it experiencing the unknown that makes you feel alive. However it doesn't work for everyone, perhaps for some would just prefer seeing comfortable things and taking life the easy way out, but for us we love to be different.

Welcome to the ghost walk

Another abandoned building discovered in a secluded location, land is scarce yet there are not shortages of "haunted" houses to explore, truly unique country. The road to the area was cordoned off making it thus making it cloaked in the darkness, but nothing could escape from our night vision eyesight.

The surrounding was barricaded by barbwire, you could sense that visitors are definately not welcomed.

A big gap discovered where we made our entry in the unknown building. Noticed that most of the windows and doors were planked to discourage illegal lodging.

Camera was put through to show a classroom style.
Is this an old school ?

Picture taken with flash couldnt reveal the end of corridor, walking down the narrow corridor seems like a never ending journey. Wrapped in absolute darkness, it's hard not to imagine a ghostly hand would just pull you into one of the door... Everything was just in pure black once the flash gun had fired off, we prefer the minimal usage of torches to blend into the atmosphere.

Suspected fire scene, what happened before ?
The black marks on the wall leave a big question mark...

Strangest thing can happen in the woods, it always safe to steer clear from the utter darkness.

Staircase are always interesting as it lead us to a brand new level, like playing games and completing the stage. It's enticing to find out what's lies beyond it.

Now it ring a bell, it's the ex-office of the OC aka officer in command.

Such reminders was pasted on the door to remind the recruits,
soldiers back then probably lack anger management

As we proceeded further, the mystery identity of the building came to a light...
Logistic is Combat Power !

That pretty sums up for the prelude journey to exploring. For the first time my camera was put into good use, exposing every inch of the room without the need for touch up. Next in the agenda, we are going under the ground where nobody attempted to, it will be an exclusive trip organised by Strictlyeuro. Behold and awaits the ultimate phenomena ...

Strictlyeuro Go Jaybee

When the city sleeps at 10pm on a weekday in Singapore, people comfortably tuck in the bed watching the news before lights off. Some may stay up awhile more just to catch up with friends online, or publishing ridiculous quiz (fav sex position, how dirty minded are you etc ...) on facebook.

Come and join us for weekly Tuesday rendezvous at Jaybee and see what truly asia has to offer in the night, at half price and double the happiness.

There are signs everywhere to remind drivers to top up to 3 quarter tank full, however some would risk to save the petrol for Jaybee operators. It's a $500 fine for those who disobey, you have been warned.

New custom, they didn't say photography are prohibited

First stop was at an area near the old custom, business must have taken a hit since the opening of new custom. In the night regular customers still come back for their darn solid mutton soup which claims to boost vitality, at work or at home you decide.

kambing soup with teh tarik, 8RM

Shops are setup in the back allay with no shelter, when it starts to drizzle they would quickly setup a mobile canvas across the lane. Care for customer with no additional service charge, put shame to restaurants when at times you get practically zero customer service, yet charged.

Carwash in Jaybee for 8RM will take care interior and external polish shiny shiny. Cheapest wash in our island cost $3, but prepare for long queue and watch several banagla hastily give half job while you are at your driver seat, your interior will not be taken care.

Supper's over but it the adventure doesn't stop here, in fact life has only just began after midnight.

Watch 5 gorgeous ladies from Thailand singing and dancing on the stage, accompanied with live band playing techno music ! It's quite hilarious to see them doing the techno dance moves and keeping up with the fast pace of music, but i'm loving it ! I never actually think i would live to see ladies singing techno music live, god is fair to me lah.

This is the song which they performed, i know it will sounds awful to most.

10 - Coming Through The Light - Bambie B - DANCE ZONE

More pictures of the dazzling ladies, 100% female no artificial operation involved. Maybe some enhancement job but i don't know. This is the best i could muster from my 2.5X zoom camera, taken in high ISO and lowest aperture in low light setting.

Yummy Tom Yam

Few more pictures secretly taken before a black hand appeared, phototaking are strictly not allowed and i was kicked out from the club by the bouncer. My camera was smashed into pieces but i managed to savage the memory card for this post, now i have a valid reason to get a dslr for myself.

Returning to Singapore with a heavy heart, gas gas gas !

Ok that smashing of camera was a spoof, i was advised not to take picture that's all. Now back to reality where chewing gums are banned ( *chewing mentos gum while finishing the post).

Rediscover Shenton Way

Having spent the past week in Shenton Way for official matters, it gave me the chance to discover some interesting heritage sightings. Normally in the heart of the central district, it's densely populated with tall office buildings and modern shopping malls.

Thank god it's friday that i had the opportunity to take a walk around the area, to appreciate what our forefathers had done to mould Singapore what it is today. Welcome to Shenton Way, where it is often associated with high flying executive elites.

Its been ages since i came to China Square, it has undergoned a major face lift that now stood out differently from the surrounding.

Colourful shophouses


Bright sun casting a carpet of leaves

At the end of shophouses, it leads you to Far East Square that has been around centuries but i am not abit aware of. Build by the same organisation that brought you Far East Plaza, it's a unique mall that combines past architecture with modern structure, that brings out the culture and history of Singapore.

That must weight alot of tons.


Spiral staircase are always classic example of old school


Similar concept to Bugis Junction
but promoting the Heritage Way

Check this out man, there's a mini museum named Fuk Tak Chi in the mall, not the first but definitely the few in our sunny island you can find. Basically it revolved around the days of coolies and your Ah Ma era. I shall leave you with pictures for story telling, it getting late now and i better speed up this post.

Back to the past !


Where ear digging was a trade

Here are some misc pictures taken while on my way back to Raffles Mrt Station.

A temple for businessman to pray that deal could be struck

Staring the waterfall


Working up there sure stress


The place Yuchen works, her crazy mum
usually waits for her here, if you watch the 9pm drama =p


Majestic Chevron house


Lastly a nice cuppa for a hard day of work since it's
still early for my dinner appointment


But it would be perfect if an office lady joins me
at the table for coffeebreak.

Shenton Way office ladies sure know how to dress to work, and dress to kill. It's always a refreshing experience for boring civil servants to enter the business district : ) I strongly recommend you to land a job in Raffles place, con is that food are pricier, but your eyes will be kept busy.

Shooting Fireworks Day 2

More fireworks picture back by popular demand. Actually there are many more clear/crispier/wonderful pictures uploaded on the internet, there's no way my shots from point and shot camera can hold it's candle to big brother DSLR.

Some people might have mistaken that i have been using DSLR, it's amusing to see their reaction when they spotted a compact camera hanging over my neck. And one even commented that i looked like voyeur, thanks and i will take that as a compliment.

Nevertheless here's some of the shots taken from 10 storeys high. There were already no parking lot for my tripod on the higher floors.

Before the show commenced, checked settings for optimal results.

1) Manual mode dial lock
2) Big aperture value
3) Pre set shutter speed 2 secs
4) Focus set to infinity
5) ISO 80
6) Tripod stability
7) Reality check, standing beside sweet young thing can be distracting
8) Reality check #2, why everybody camera so big size one, and i took lift with one blur cock holding a full frame camera, darn he looked like a kid.

Ok that's about it, viewing too many pictures from the same angle can be boring. Once the show was over, everybody was heading the easy way out; take the lift. Being the slower of the pack, i could only take the stairs like in a firedrill. Upon reaching the ground floor, i managed to beat the lift and snapped a picture before the door opened.

Super crowded lift

They didnt step out until i took the picture.
Smile !
Zhu Ying look alike spotted !

Home sweet home !

Shooting Fireworks from Ground Zero

I'm hamstrung by the fact that it's impossible to take decent pictures of fireworks under the following condition.

1) Handheld without tripod
2) Equipped with a non DSLR ( i'm trying to debunk this fact)
3) Lack of experience
4) Too amaze by the fireworks that you rather enjoy than to shoot

After going through the first day of wonderful display by Crackers? The World Famous, i'm not going to commit the same mistake again. Instead of posting spectacular trails of fireworks, i'm gonna upload from user perspective point of view.

At the entrance, the lady using the loud speaker,
"guys what are you waiting for, come in !"

Humorous crew, see it for yourself at the scene

Gigantic inferno in the middle

Batman !

This is call playing with fire, or sparkler man

Burning works at the ground

Typically NDP fireworks display

Grand finale turned the night into smoky day !

Starry night

Wheel of fire !

She's still enjoying, admirable professionalism

Do come down and experience the show accompany with story about getting out of comfort zone and taking risk. It's not a plain show shooting crackers into the sky, there will be surprises time to time in different segments, words cant describe but it will be an awesome show for all.

That's about it for the moment, do catch me at the high floor HDB tonight shooting from a bird eye view. Special guest will be joining me for the shoot tonight and she's a lady gagaga. Lastly some miscellaneous picture which i was requested to put up here, there you go.